ARC Review: Sliding Home Jaqueline Snowe

May 5, 2025May 4, 2025 Dini @ dinipandareads7 Comments

Special thanks to Jaqueline Snowe for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sliding Home (Out of the Park #2)
Publication Date: 6 May 2025
Genre: Adult Contemporary Sports Romance

Panda Rating:

_{(4.5 pandas)}

📖 SYNOPSIS

Two years ago, she pushed him away. Now, he’s back… and he’s not giving up.

Michelle Benning has no time for distractions—not when she’s juggling school, two jobs, and a past she refuses to look back on. Love? It’s never been part of her plan. So when Brooks Madsen, the rising baseball star she once almost let in, walks back into her life, she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length.

Brooks never understood why Michelle ran, but he’s never forgotten her. Their connection was real—fiery, intense, and impossible to ignore. And now that he’s back in town, he wants answers. But for every step closer he gets, Michelle puts up another wall.

She thinks she’s protecting herself. He knows she’s running. And when the past she’s been hiding from comes crashing back, Michelle has to decide: keep running… or finally let Brooks be the one person she trusts to stay.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Child abuse (recounted, minor detail), substance abuse/addiction (secondary character, mentioned), extortion/black mail, stalking, parent with dementia (on page, detailed)

TL;DR: Sliding Home is a great second-chance romance featuring two tough MCs who are easy to like and whom you almost immediately want to root for! Michelle and Brooks were great characters individually but together, their romance gave angst and a whole lot of (delightful) tension! I loved their “will-they-won’t-they” dance and found myself fully invested in their HEA. While this is very character driven, there was also a mini-suspenseful plot that made sense to the story, but I found the reasoning behind the third-act to be a bit frustrating, even if I did understand how it fit into their story. Overall, this had the character depth I feel I have been missing in a lot of the (indie) romances I read these days, and I loved it! If you’re looking for a non-sports heavy “sports romance”, a second-chance romance where the characters work to reach a good place, and plenty of open communicative moments, then I would recommend checking this out.

ARC Review: The Summer Playbook by Jaqueline Snowe

February 5, 2024February 1, 2024 Dini @ dinipandareads10 Comments

Special thanks to Jaqueline Snowe for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Summer Playbook (Central State Football #2)
Publication Date: 6 February 2024
Genre: New Adult Sports Romance

Panda Rating:

_{(4 pandas)}

📖 SYNOPSIS

Mackenzie Mallinson is an expert at two things—playing soccer and talking about soccer. Wait, there’s a third too. Crushing on her best friend’s twin brother, the star quarterback for the football team, but no one knows about that. Her senior year is her last shot at fun before entering the pros, and she refuses to let soccer be the only thing that defines her. She wants to live life to the fullest, and that requires a summer bucket list.

Dean Romano might have a line of people wanting his signature, but he’s been off his game since someone he trusted hurt him last year. Once the life of the party, he misses the old version of himself. Not the guy who slept around version, but the fun, carefree, let’s enjoy my time on earth version. With his senior year on the team starting, he wants to get back to having a good time, and the perfect opportunity arises: The Summer Playbook.

Mack needs to let loose but wants to do it with someone she trusts. Dean wants to find his mojo again with someone who doesn’t care about his potential NFL career. The two pair up to complete a bucket list of fun while ensuring there are no feelings involved. Some items are easy, like dance on a bar or go to a concert, but skinny dipping? Body shots? Things heat up, but they both agreed their deal ends once they check off every item on the list. The question remains: is love something you cross off a list or a game you can win?

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Sex on page, infidelity recounted, gaslighting

TL;DR: This book was just too freaking cute. It was like a shot of sunshine and happiness straight into my veins because it was a sweet, feel-good, low-drama, low-angst romance. Mack and Dean were so good together and I loved their healthy communication and the playfulness of their romance! If you’re a seasonal reader and are looking for a book to add to your summer reading list, you don’t want to miss out on this because it’s perfect for the summer and it will make you want to fall in love!

ARC Review: First Meet Foul by Jaqueline Snowe

May 1, 2023September 1, 2023 Dini @ dinipandareads7 Comments

Special thanks to Jaqueline Snowe for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

First Meet Foul
Publication Date: 2 May 2022
Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance

Panda Rating:

_{(4.5 pandas)}

📖 SYNOPSIS

Lorelei Romano thought junior year would be spent living with her best friend, having the best season of her life on the girls’ soccer team and enjoying time with her boyfriend. Instead, she was suddenly single and stuck living with her brother in the football house across the hall from the grumpiest football player on campus. The tight end might be easy on the eyes with his tree-trunk thighs and gorgeous thick hair, but the guy hates her on sight.

Luca Monroe doesn’t have time for feelings in his plan to get to the NFL to financially take care of his grandma. He had a rough life and can’t afford to veer off track—no matter how much his teammate’s sister tempts him. She’s a weakness he refuses to indulge, so keeping his distance is the only solution. He’d never betray his quarterback like that, and plus, every second of his day is focused on football.

But when Lorelei ends up in a fight for an internship with the guy who broke her heart, she teams up with Luca to wow her professor. The project brings the two together, and with that, their chemistry implodes. They agree to a friends-with-benefits arrangement. The rules are simple: no feelings and no one ever finds out.

Despite their own rules, feelings get involved. Lorelei refuses to be kept secret, and Luca always puts the football team first. However, when she walks away, Luca’s on defense. He either risks it all for the girl who’s become his everything or miss a chance of scoring real love.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

Childhood abandonment, cheating (recounted), on-page sex, MCs almost get into a car accident

TL;DR: Just as I knew I would, I adored First Meet Foul to bits! The forbidden romance, mutual pining, sexual tension, friendships, family dynamics, THE SASSY GRANDMA, and the relatability of the characters combined to make a fun and entertaining sports romance! 😍 I’d highly recommend this if you love: the (anxious) grumpy x (confident) sunshine dynamic, a slow-burn forbidden romance (the MMC is the teammate/housemate of the FMC’s twin) between two athletes (soccer/football), all the pining, *intense* when-will-they tension, and simping. Lots of great simping, lol.

Cover Reveal: First Meet Foul by Jaqueline Snowe

April 4, 2023April 4, 2023 Dini @ dinipandareads1 Comment

Hello, hello, friends! I’m here to share a COVER REVEAL today for First Meet Foul by Jaqueline Snowe. I’m so glad that I discovered this author’s romances last year because I’ve come to love each new release that I’ve read by her more and more! 😍 Check out what this new sports romance is about and when it’s releasing down below and don’t forget to add the book to your TBRs if this sounds like your jam!

ARC Mini-Review: Just One Tent by Jaqueline Snowe

December 5, 2022December 4, 2022 Dini @ dinipandareads14 Comments

Special thanks to Jaqueline Snowe for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

ARC Review: Off the Ice by Jaqueline Snowe

October 11, 2022 Dini @ dinipandareads13 Comments

Special thanks to the author for providing a digital ARC via Grey’s Promotions in exchange for an honest review!

Off the Ice (Central State #4)
Pub Date: 11 October 2022
Genre: Contemporary (Sports) Romance

Panda Rating:

_{(4.5 stars)}

📖 SYNOPSIS

Falling for the hopeless romantic was never part of the plan…

Elle Van Helsing wants to start her life away from home. Constantly living under the shadow of her brother, she plans to find romance and survive on her own: even if it’s financially harder than she thought. Getting a job at a dive bar three doors down from her new place is the perfect solution. Well, it was until the owner has a family emergency and asks his nephew to help out in his absence. The guy she used to have a crush on until he ruined it.

Cal Holt might be a legend on the ice, but off it? He’s alone and likes to keep it that way. It’s easier to protect himself when he’s always a jerk, but the one person who gets under his skin is Elle. Torn between wanting to get to know her and pushing her away, he’s surprised when he learns she hates him. She looked at him differently the year before, and now that they’re stuck managing a bar for a few weeks, tensions rise.

She’s a hopeless romantic who wants grand gestures and sees the world through rose-colored glasses. He’s a grumpy cynic with a permanent scowl. She dreams of love, and he wants a one-night stand. She plans to build a life on campus, and he plans to leave and head to the NHL. Complete opposites in every way, they shift from enemies to friends…but Cal refuses to fall in love, and Elle deserves more. For the girl who never felt enough, and the guy terrified to feel, fear might ruin their chance at finding love.

⚠️ CONTENT/TRIGGER WARNINGS

death of parents (off-page)

📚 BUY A COPY

AMAZON

Cover Reveal: Off the Ice by Jaqueline Snowe

September 3, 2022September 9, 2022 Dini @ dinipandareads5 Comments

Hello, friends, I’m excited to be sharing a cover reveal with you today for Off the Ice by Jaqueline Snowe! This is the fourth book in her Central State series and I’m really excited to see where Snowe takes this couple after meeting them in the previous book, Take the Lead. I have a feeling things are going to get angsty and heated and we’re so here for it! 🔥 Check out my reviews for From the Top (#2) and Take the Lead (#3)!

Now without further ado… The cover! 😍

ARC Review: Take the Lead by Jaqueline Snowe

June 27, 2022October 10, 2022 Dini @ dinipandareads13 Comments

Special thanks to Jaqueline Snowe for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Goodreads: Take the Lead (Central State #3)
Published: 28 June 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Panda Rating:

_{(4 pandas)}

Falling for my fake girlfriend was never part of the plan…
Daniella Laughlin might seem put together in her dance gear and captainship, but on the inside, she’s figuring out who she is without her mom’s beauty pageant influence. Constantly being critiqued and set up by her mom, she dreads going home for the holidays.

Enter her best friend’s older brother, hockey captain Gabriel Van Helsing. Dani and Gabe have been friends for two decades, and sure, she’s harbored a secret crush on him forever, but she never acted on it because his sister would’ve killed her. Gabe’s a player, on and off the ice, and the longest relationship he’s had is with his hockey stick. He offers to drive her home for Thanksgiving break and proposes the most bonkers idea—they should fake date until New Year’s to get her mom to leave her alone.

Gabe might wear the C on the ice, but he’s always been passive. Here for a good time, never rocking the boat. But after his latest hookup wouldn’t take a hint, he uses Daniella’s predicament for the perfect solution: if he was unavailable, people would leave him alone.

Things begin easily with their friendship, but with every touch and fake kiss, Daniella can’t hide her feelings anymore. And for Gabe, who sets deadlines for every fling he’s ever had, he struggles to fight for what he wants. When their timeline is up, Daniella’s insecurities clash with Gabe’s inability to commit. For two people terrified to take a chance, they must risk their decade-long friendship for a shot at love.

Cover Reveal: Take the Lead by Jaqueline Snowe

June 6, 2022September 10, 2022 Dini @ dinipandareads9 Comments

Hello, hello, friends! I’m so excited to be sharing a cover reveal with you today for Take the Lead by Jaqueline Snowe. I read into the hints that the author dropped for this couple in From the Top, the second book in her Central State series, and I’ve been looking forward to their romance ever since! I have a feeling it’s gonna be a fave!?

Now without further ado… Check out this awesome cover! 😍

ARC Review: From the Top by Jaqueline Snowe

February 14, 2022February 17, 2022 Dini @ dinipandareads12 Comments

Special thanks to the author for providing an ARC via Grey’s Promotions in exchange for an honest review!

Goodreads: From the Top (Central State #2)
Published: 15 February 2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Panda Rating:

_{(4 pandas)}

Falling for the captain was never part of the plan…
Cami Simpson is the ‘it girl’—at least until a string of terrible decisions leads to no boyfriend, no captainship of the dance team, and no fancy apartment. Due to a mold outbreak at her place, she’s forced to relocate to a co-ed dorm as a senior. And to top it off, she finds out she’s at risk of not graduating due to an error in her schedule. Talk about the worst senior year ever.

Frederick Brady the IV would never admit the massive crush he once had on the dance darling. Not to anyone. They’d almost had a moment a year ago, but she crushed him, so she’s the last person he wants to live next to. It doesn’t matter though. He’s on his way out to an internship and almost done with school where he can leave his heartbreak and data foes behind.

Neither expected to form a friendship or know what to do about their insane chemistry. With late nights, inside jokes, and the rare comfort they find in each other… lines blur, and the popular girl gets with the nerdy guy. Only, Freddie’s done this before and knows how it ends. His insecurities clash with Cami’s need to be picked first, so when Freddie has to choose where to attend his internship, he can either pick the job or the girl. And for the guy who’s set on protecting his heart, well, he might break hers in the process.

GET YOUR COPY!

add to Goodreads

Jaqueline Snowe lives in Arizona where the “dry heat” really isn’t that bad. She prefers drinking coffee all hours of the day and snacking on anything that has peanut butter or chocolate. She is the mother to two fur-babies who don’t realize they aren’t humans and a new mom to the sweetest baby boy. She is an avid reader and writer of romances and tends to write about athletes. Her husband works for an MLB team (not a player, lol) so she knows more about baseball than any human ever should.

TL;DR: If you’re looking for a fun/fast read and a steamy frenemies-to-lovers situation between a popular girl and nerdy guy that’s full of sweet vulnerability and explosive chemistry, then I would definitely recommend checking this out!